MLB Player News

Martin (illness) made relief appearances Wednesday against the Orioles and Thursday against the Yankees, tossing a pair of scoreless innings and striking out three batters while giving up one hit and no walks.

Martin appeared out of the bullpen just once in the first week of September before manager Alex Cora disclosed last Sunday that the reliever was battling an illness. Cora's decision to use Martin on consecutive days would seem to imply that the right-hander is now feeling back to full strength after the bout with the ailment.

Marte has been shut down from throwing with Triple-A Lehigh Valley due to a shoulder injury, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Seidman relays that the injury is serious enough that Marte could be done for the rest of the regular season. Marte's last outing in Triple-A was Sept. 5 against Buffalo, during which he gave up three runs on three hits and one walk over one inning. The 29-year-old right-hander appeared in 23 games for the Phillies this season and posted a 6.92 ERA and 1.88 WHIP over 26 innings.

Pressly pitched 1.2 scoreless innings while allowing two hits to earn the save Saturday against the Angels.

Pressly entered the game with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth inning. He allowed a single to the first batter he faced but still managed to escape the frame with a one-run lead. The ninth inning was less adventurous for Pressly, and he picked up his fourth save. Josh Hader had pitched three times in the last four games and in back-to-back contests, leaving him unavailable Saturday.

The Orioles reinstated Webb (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Sunday.

Webb will rejoin the Baltimore bullpen for the first time since early August after completing his recovery from right elbow inflammation. Prior to being activated, Webb made four rehab appearances between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk, tossing 3.1 innings while allowing four earned runs on five hits and two walks. He'll likely serve as a lower-leverage or middle-relief option for the Orioles.

Smyly (3-8) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while retiring just one batter to take the loss in Saturday's 6-5, extra-inning defeat to the Rockies.

After Porter Hodge blew the save in the bottom of the ninth inning to force the game into the 10th, Smyly allowed the automatic baserunner to come around and score to take the loss. The lefty's record doesn't reflect it, but he's pitched well this year out of the bullpen with a 3.54 ERA and 53 strikeouts across 56 innings. Smyly was placed on waivers back in late August, though he's stuck around in Chicago and will likely continue to see high-leverage work for the Cubs in the final few weeks of the regular season.

Munoz (3-6) got the win against the Rangers on Saturday, firing a perfect ninth inning.

Munoz was called on to protect a 4-4 tie in the ninth inning and delivered by retiring Josh Jung, Ezequiel Duran and Carson Kelly on 11 pitches. The right-hander was then afforded his first victory since way back on May 5 via Randy Arozarena's game-winning single in the home half of the frame, putting a fitting bow on Munoz's third straight scoreless relief appearance. The Mariners' closer is enjoying a strong fantasy season overall, recording a career-high 21 saves to go along with six holds, a 2.10 ERA, an 0.95 WHIP and an 11.5 K/9 across 55.2 innings.

Topa (knee/elbow) threw 30 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports. It was his third bullpen session in the past week.

Topa hopes to face live hitters in a few days and then try to pitch in a rehab game with Triple-A St. Paul in late September. Topa still hopes to pitch in the majors this season, but he still has several more steps to go. Topa has resided on the injured list all season, first while recovering from a torn patellar tendon in his left knee before being pulled off a rehab assignment in August due to right elbow inflammation.

Hodge allowed two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out two over one inning, taking a blown save in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Rockies.

Hodge suffered his first blown save since ascending to the closer role, allowing a two-run home run to pinch hitter Sam Hilliard with two outs in the ninth inning. That blast ended a 15-inning scoreless streak for Hodge, who has emerged as one of the Cubs' most reliable relievers in the second half. He's now at a 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 48:18 K:BB with five saves, nine holds and three blown saves over 39 innings this season. Hodge has been scored on in just five of his 35 appearances.

Martinez (9-6) earned the win Saturday against the Twins, pitching six innings and allowing one run on three hits. He struck out six and did not issue a walk.

Martinez stayed hot on the mound with another impressive showing and lowered his ERA to 3.37 for the season. Martinez shut down Atlanta with seven scoreless innings in his last start, and he's now won three consecutive starts. The veteran right-hander was moved into the rotation Aug. 5 and has earned his spot by allowing one run or fewer in six of his nine starts in that span.

Alexander (6-5) took the loss against the Guardians on Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts over five innings.

Alexander relieved Drew Rasmussen to open the third inning and was mainly burned by a three-run sixth frame. The 30-year-old didn't allow a homer for the first time since Aug. 4, but he has yielded three earned runs or more in four of his past five outings. On the season, he owns a 5.58 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 78:23 K:BB across 98.1 total innings between the rotation and bullpen.